Mint flavoured paneer masala recipe – How to make mint paneer masala recipe – paneer recipes
Paneer masala is a very popular punjabi dish which goes well with rotis or naans or jeera rice or any flavoured rice. Paneer or cottage cheese is cooked in a spicy masala gravy. Paneer masala is a very nice rich gravy recipe and perfect recipe for any parties or celebrations. In this recipe, I have added mint leaves to give a nice aroma and taste to this gravy dish. Pudina paneer curry is a creamy curry which also goes well with Indian bread or a simple pulao. Cashewnuts added to it gives that creamy and delicious taste to the curry.
Prep Time : 15 mins
Cook Time : 20 mins
North Indian cuisine
INGREDIENTS
Paneer – 250 gms (cut into small cubes or pieces)
Oil – 3 tablespoons
Mustard seeds or rai – 1/2 teaspoon
Cumin seeds – 1/2 teaspoon
Onions- 2 (grind to a smooth puree)
Tomatoes – 2 (grind to a smooth puree)
Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon
Red chilli powder – 1/2 teaspoon
Garam masala – 1/2 teaspoon
Kasuri Methi leaves – 1 teaspoon
Salt to taste
TO GRIND TO A SMOOTH PASTE
Handful of coriander leaves
Handful of mint (pudina) leaves
Green chillies – 2 nos
Garlic cloves – 5 to 6
Ginger (adrak) – 1 tablespoon (chopped roughly)
Cashewnuts – 5 nos
HOW TO MAKE OR PREPARE MINT FLAVOURED PANEER MASALA RECIPE
Take a mixer grinder. Add the coriander leaves, mint leaves, green chillies, garlic cloves, chopped ginger and cashewnuts. Add very little water and grind to a smooth paste. Keep it aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan. Add the paneer pieces and saute for few minutes on medium flame, till they turn light golden brown in colour.
Once done, transfer the paneer pieces to a separate plate. To the same pan, add 2 tablespoons of oil. Once the oil becomes hot, add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Once the seeds stops spluttering, add the onion paste and mix well. Saute on a low flame till the raw taste of the onion goes away.
Then add the tomato paste and mix well again. Cook on a low flame for another 5 minutes. Then add the ground paste and give a good mix.
Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder and garam masala. Mix well. Add the fried paneer pieces. Mix well so that the paneer pieces are well coated with the masala. Cover the pan with its lid and cook for 2-3 minutes on low to medium flame.
Then switch off the flame. Transfer the mint paneer masala to a serving dish and serve hot with rotis, naans, or simple pulao rice.
NOTES/TIPS
Adjust the green chillies according to the spiciness required by you.